University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Massachusetts (A-10 Tourney)
No. 10 Richmond Tops UMass; Wins Third Straight A-10 Championship
11/06/2004 | Field Hockey
Nov. 6, 2004
AMHERST, Mass. - Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year Allie Howard unleashed the offensive prowess that earned her last fall's offensive player of the year honors, scoring two goals and assisting on a third as the 10th-ranked Spiders dominated Massachusetts, 3-1, to capture their third consecutive conference championship.
The victory extended Richmond's (17-2) win streak to 11 matches dating back to Sept. 26 against James Madison. It also moved the Spiders' win streak over Atlantic 10 foes to 24.
Howard scored in the matches ninth minute after she gathered a rebound from her initial shot off a penalty corner. Junior Holly Cram posted yet another goal for Richmond on a penalty corner at the 18:25 mark. Howard and junior Michelle La Force garnered the assists for the Spiders. Howard then added to her point total on the evening with an unassisted goal in the 21st minute.
UMass' lone goal came in the 25th minute. Kara Murphy fired a shot off an attack which was saved by Richmond's keeper, junior Michelle Swartz. The play resulted in a penalty corner for the Minutewomen, who took advantage and scored the first goal on Richmond in more than 390 minutes.
Richmond, who dominated the match statistically outshooting UMass 22-3, placed five individuals on the All-Tournament Team. Cram, Howard and La Force were joined by juniors Lesley Russell and Whitney Wells. Howard, who recorded a total of six points in the tournament, picked up the Most Outstanding Player honors.
Head coach Ange Bradley, who garnered her 101st career win, will now lead her team into the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Spiders will play host to Rider, champions of the Norteast Conference, Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
Following the game Tuesday, the Spiders will await to find out their fate in the NCAA Tournament's 16-team field. College Sports Television will exclusively present the first-ever NCAA Field Hockey Championship Selection Show at 7 p.m., Tuesday evening. The show will also be streamed live online at CollegeSports.com.
